Top men's player Teng Teng Liu will lead the New Zealand table tennis team at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next month.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee yesterday announced the five table tennis players who would conpete at Glasgow.

At just 20-years-old, Liu was also joined by three-time Olympian and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Peter Jackson (49) who would provide invaluable games-time knowledge.

Chinese-born Liu has lived in New Zealand since he was 16, but only this year became eligible for selection into a national team. He would take up the number one position in the team, playing two singles matches in the competition.

Table Tennis New Zealand high performance director Murray Finch said the selection of the team was significant for the sport in New Zealand and Liu's inclusion was a major boost.

"We now have a player capable of winning two singles against all but the top three or four teams. In the past, without such a strong number one we have had to rely on everyone winning a match.

''Having Teng Teng increases the pressure on our opponents and gives us some tactical options in team selection during the competition.''

Shane Laugesen (39), who competed alongside Jackson at the Commonwealth Games in both Manchester 2002 and Melbourne 2006 was also named to today. Jackson and Laugesen would form the strategic doubles combination.

First timers John Cordue (Christchurch, 30) and Phillip Xiao (23) of Auckland completed the team.

New Zealand has won four Commonwealth Games medals, all at Manchester 2002 which was the first time the sport featured on the programme.

Four-time Olympian Li Chunli contributed to each of the one gold, one silver and two bronze medals won.